Sports Mole

Tottenham Hotspur youngster Alfie Devine has joined Belgian outfit Westerlo on a season-long loan deal, the Lilywhites have confirmed.

The 20-year-old's switch to the Jupiler Pro League is his third temporary move away from North London, following brief spells in the lower leagues with Port Vale and Plymouth Argyle last season.

After shining in League One with three goals and three assists in 26 games for Port Vale, Devine made 15 appearances for Plymouth in the Championship last season, setting up two goals.

The midfielder had already experienced a taste of senior football with Tottenham before his Port Vale and Plymouth loans, scoring on his debut in a 5-0 FA Cup win over Marine in January 2021 under Jose Mourinho.

That strike made Devine the youngest male player to ever score for Tottenham at 16 years and 163 days, breaking Dane Scarlett's record, but he has only made another one appearance for the senior side since.

The 20-year-old was an unused substitute in Spurs' recent 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in the Premier League and also earned minutes under Ange Postecoglou in pre-season, but he will now spend the rest of the campaign in Belgium.

Devine will wear the number 10 shirt at Westerlo, where he links up with Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic, who is set to join Tottenham from Hajduk Split on a permanent deal in 2025.

The midfielder becomes the seventh senior Tottenham player to leave on loan this summer, following Bryan Gil, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Ashley Phillips, Alejo Veliz, Manor Solomon and Scarlett out of the door.

Could any other Tottenham players leave this month?

Postecoglou's summer clearout at Tottenham was a huge success, as the Lilywhites managed to permanently offload 10 players who had no future in North London, generating over £55m in transfer fees.

While Djed Spence - who was expected to leave in the most recent window - has unexpectedly turned his career around and will be given chances to prove himself, one full-back still sticks out like a sore thumb.

Sergio Reguilon is back in North London following mixed spells at Brentford and Manchester United in the 2023-24 season, but the Spaniard has been frozen out under Postecoglou and must surely leave in the coming days lest he risk a few months with no football.

Reguilon could join a club in Turkey, where the window is open until September 13, while teams in Greece can still bring in players until next Wednesday.

Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur travelled to St James' Park on Sunday afternoon where they faced Eddie Howe's Newcastle United in each side's third game of the 2024-25 Premier League season, but it was Howe's team that claimed all three points after their 2-1 victory.

Newcastle were 10th with four points before their win, and had beaten Southampton in their first game of the campaign before drawing against Bournemouth on August 25.

Spurs also had four points and most recently beat Everton 4-0 on August 24, but they nearly conceded first in the fifth minute when Alexander Isak hit the crossbar after he audaciously tried to lob goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from the right hand side of the 18-yard box.

Newcastle exerted a great deal of pressure in the first 10 minutes, but would have gone 1-0 down in the 11th minute had Cristian Romero not been offside when he headed home from a cross after Spurs had played a short corner.

Harvey Barnes opened the scoring in the 37th minute when he finished excellently into the right side of the net after he let the ball roll across his body following a good cross from Lloyd Kelly from the left of the box.

Newcastle started the second half well, with Isak only prevented from scoring his side's second within five minutes of the restart due to Radu Dragusin's intervention in the penalty area.

Wilson Odobert somehow failed to get Tottenham back on level terms after he skied his shot from close range in the 53rd minute, but Spurs found an equaliser following an awful parry from Nick Pope and a failed clearance from Dan Burn that converted Brennan Johnson's shot into the back of the net in the 56th minute.

Sandro Tonali made his Premier League return after his 10-month suspension in the 68th minute with Howe looking to contain Tottenham, but his side took the lead in the 79th minute when Jacob Murphy laid the ball off to Isak after Joelinton had played a defence-splitting pass through Tottenham's backline.

The Toon managed to hold out for all three points to take their total to seven, while Tottenham remain on four points after losing for the first time this season.

Newcastle United VS. Tottenham Hotspur HIGHLIGHTS

Alexander Isak hits the crossbar vs. Tottenham (5th min, Newcastle United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur)

Alexander Isak audaciously lobs Guglielmo Vicario from the right side of the box, catching the Spurs goalkeeper off guard, but the ball hits the crossbar and the danger passes.

What an effort!

© Imago

Spurs win a corner on the right side and play it short towards Pedro Porro, who crosses to Cristian Romero around the six-yard box, but the Argentinian's close-range goal is ruled out for being offside.

Good defending from Newcastle!

Harvey Barnes goal vs. Tottenham (37th min, Newcastle United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur)

Harvey Barnes opens the scoring with a fantastic first-time finish into the right side of the net after he let the ball come across his body following a cross into the penalty area by Lloyd Kelly.

An excellent strike!

Dan Burn own goal vs. Tottenham (56th min, Newcastle United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur)

Nick Pope parries James Maddison's tame strike from the left side of the box directly into the path of Brennan Johnson, whose shot is turned in by Newcastle's Dan Burn.

What is Pope thinking?

Alexander Isak goal vs. Tottenham (79th min, Newcastle United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur)

Joelinton plays a fantastic pass through Tottenham's defence, and Jacob Murphy races into the penalty area before he lays off a pass to Alexander Isak for a tap in.

What a pass from Joelinton!

MAN OF THE MATCH - Joelinton

© Imago

Joelinton was vital to Newcastle's win, especially considering that his team had prolonged periods without possession, but the all-action midfielder epitomised the Toon's relentless tenacity.

He also was key to Alexander Isak's winning goal as the Brazilian was the one who played the incisive pass to Jacob Murphy, who then assisted the Newcastle striker.

Newcastle United VS. Tottenham Hotspur MATCH STATS

Possession: Newcastle United 34%-66% Tottenham Hotspur

Shots: Newcastle United 9-20 Tottenham Hotspur

Shots on target: Newcastle United 3-6 Tottenham Hotspur

Corners: Newcastle United 7-12 Tottenham Hotspur

Fouls: Newcastle United 16-13 Tottenham Hotspur

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Newcastle travel to Wolves on September 15 in their first game after the international break, before they play AFC Wimbledon in the third round of the EFL Cup on September 17.

For Spurs, up next is a home match on September 15 against their North London rivals Arsenal, who will be without star midfielder Declan Rice.

No Data Analysis info

Newcastle United are set to host Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park on Sunday, and both sides will hope to continue their unbeaten starts to the 2024-25 Premier League season.

The hosts are seventh with four points and controversially avoided defeat last time out against Bournemouth on August 25, while the visitors are fifth with four points and managed to bounce back from their opening day draw against Leicester with a commanding 4-0 win against Everton on August 24.

NEWCASTLE UNITED vs. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Out: Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Fabian Schar (suspended), Callum Wilson (back), Lewis Miley (ankle), Joe Willock (thigh)

Doubtful: Martin Dubravka (concussion)

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Out: Richarlison (injury), Dominic Solanke (precaution)

Doubtful: None

Sports Mole's predicted XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here. body check tags ::

Newcastle United have the chance to win their third consecutive match at home against Sunday's opponents Tottenham Hotspur when they host Ange Postecoglou's side at St James' Park in the Premier League.

Both teams have four points after two Premier League games, though Tottenham enjoyed a victory in their most recent game having beaten Everton 4-0 at home on August 24.

Newcastle drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on August 25, but they were fortunate to have come away from the Vitality Stadium with a point considering the Cherries had a controversial winner ruled out in second-half stoppage time when Dango Ouattara was adjudged to have used his arm to steer the ball into the back of the net.

Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

Head-to-head record

Previous meetings: 148

Newcastle wins: 53

Draws: 29

Spurs wins: 66

Tottenham will not have fond memories of their recent trips to St James' Park considering the Toon won 4-0 in 2023-24 and 6-1 in 2022-23.

Spurs' Micky van de Ven's performance in his side's 4-0 loss last term on April 13 was particularly alarming, with the usually sure-footed defender slipping before Alexander Isak scored Newcastle's first in the 30th minute.

The Dutch defender's nightmare was far from over given he flailed when he tried to challenge Anthony Gordon in the penalty area in the 32nd minute, but his clumsy tackle meant that the winger had ample space in the box to net his team's second of the game.

Spurs' 6-1 loss to Newcastle in 2022-23 is just as infamous a result, with the Toon racing into a 5-0 lead after just 21 minutes.

Interim boss Cristian Stellini, who took charge of the club following Antonio Conte's dismissal, was sacked from his temporary role on April 24, 2023, just a day after his side's 6-1 defeat.

At St James' Park, Newcastle have won 30 times, drawn on 20 occasions and lost 25 matches against Spurs, with the most recent loss being a 3-2 defeat on October 17, 2021 when Nuno Espirito Santo was in charge of the Londoners.

In the last 10 competitive meetings between the sides, Spurs have won four games, drawn two and lost four, with their last win occurring at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season in December 2023.

Meetings between the sides have produced 477 goals, with Tottenham scoring 256 goals in contrast to Newcastle's 221.

The Toon have scored 140 goals against Spurs at St James' Park while Spurs have scored 114 times, with the last six Premier League matches between the teams seeing a total of 30 goals scored.

Last 20 meetings

Apr 13, 2024: Newcastle 4-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 10, 2023: Spurs 4-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 23, 2023: Newcastle 6-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Oct 23, 2022: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 03, 2022: Spurs 5-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Oct 17, 2021: Newcastle 2-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 04, 2021: Newcastle 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 27, 2020: Spurs 1-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Jul 15, 2020: Newcastle 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Aug 25, 2019: Spurs 0-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Feb 02, 2019: Spurs 1-0 Newcastle (Premier League)

Aug 11, 2018: Newcastle 1-2 Spurs (Premier League)

May 09, 2018: Spurs 1-0 Newcastle (Premier League)

Aug 13, 2017: Newcastle 0-2 Spurs (Premier League)

May 15, 2016: Newcastle 5-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 13, 2015: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 19, 2015: Newcastle 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 17, 2014: Spurs 4-0 Newcastle (League Cup Quarter-Finals)

Oct 26, 2014: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Feb 12, 2014: Newcastle 0-4 Spurs (Premier League)

Last 10 Premier League meetings

Apr 13, 2024: Newcastle 4-0 Spurs (Premier League)

Dec 10, 2023: Spurs 4-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 23, 2023: Newcastle 6-1 Spurs (Premier League)

Oct 23, 2022: Spurs 1-2 Newcastle (Premier League)

Apr 03, 2022: Spurs 5-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Oct 17, 2021: Newcastle 2-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Apr 04, 2021: Newcastle 2-2 Spurs (Premier League)

Sep 27, 2020: Spurs 1-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Jul 15, 2020: Newcastle 1-3 Spurs (Premier League)

Aug 25, 2019: Spurs 0-1 Newcastle (Premier League)

Read more on Newcastle vs Spurs

Solanke, Bentancur latest: Spurs injury news before Newcastle clash

Click here to read our full preview for Newcastle vs Spurs

The Toon to hammer Spurs again? Predicting Howe's Newcastle lineup vs. Tottenham

Spurs to get revenge? Predicting Postecoglou's Tottenham lineup vs. Newcastle

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Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that midfield outcast Giovani Lo Celso has left the club to rejoin Real Betis on a permanent deal.

The Argentina international failed to make the grade in North London following his arrival in 2019, initially on loan before his stay was made permanent at the end of that season.

With Lo Celso's Tottenham deal due to expire in 2025, the midfielder was always expected to complete a transfer elsewhere this summer, and Spurs have now announced his return to La Liga.

The Lilywhites - who were initially struggling to agree a deal with their Spanish counterparts - will reportedly receive €10m (£8.4m) for the sale of Lo Celso, in addition to add-ons and an unspecified sell-on clause.

The 28-year-old heads for the Tottenham exit door after racking up 10 goals and eight assists in 108 matches for the club across all tournaments, also spending time on loan with Villarreal while contracted to Spurs.

While playing for the Yellow Submarine, Lo Celso helped the Spanish outfit reach the semi-finals of the 2021-22 Champions League, and he has also been a part of Argentina's two Copa America-winning squads.

In Tottenham Hotspur's third game of the 2024-25 Premier League season against Newcastle United on Sunday, boss Ange Postecoglou could name an unchanged backline from the team that comfortably beat Everton last time out on August 24.

As such, expect Guglielmo Vicario to be shielded by Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

Udogie was substituted for Djed Spence in the 73rd minute against Everton, but Postecoglou confirmed that the left-back was just sore rather than injured.

In midfield, Rodrigo Bentancur could make an appearance given his recent return from injury, though he is unlikely to start on Sunday ahead of Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma or James Maddison.

Dejan Kulusevski started in midfield against Everton and though he is comfortable in deeper zones, it would be surprising if Postecoglou selected both Maddison and Kulusevski to start either side of Bissouma considering how dangerous Newcastle can be during counter-attacks.

In the forward line, summer signing Dominic Solanke is unavailable for selection for the second consecutive matchweek, while Richarlison is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks due to an injury he picked up in training.

Son Heung-Min is certain to start, although he may be forced to play as a striker due to the absence of both Solanke and Richarlison.

Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert started last time out against Everton, and given how well Spurs performed in that match, the pair could be given the nod ahead of the likes of Timo Werner.

Tottenham possible starting lineup: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

Newcastle United and Eddie Howe have limited options to choose from at centre-back after Fabian Schar's red card against Southampton on August 17, as well as Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles's cruciate ligament injuries.

It would not be surprising to see Dan Burn continue to shield goalkeeper Nick Pope alongside defender Emil Krafth, who both started in defence in their side's 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on August 25.

Valentino Livramento started at right-back against Bournemouth and Southampton, and is sure to feature again on Sunday, while Lloyd Kelly might be given the nod at left-back ahead of Lewis Hall.

Bruno Guimaraes will start at the base of midfield, and the all-action midfielder could be partnered by Joelinton and Sandro Tonali against Tottenham Hotspur.

Unfortunately, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock are both expected to be unavailable due to injury, though Howe did confirm that Willock seems to have avoided a serious injury when he was forced off against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup on August 28.

In the forward line, Newcastle will have to contend with the absence of Callum Wilson due to a back injury, and he is not expected to return until later in September.

Elsewhere, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak are certain to be part of the starting XI.

Jacob Murphy started on the right of a front three against Bournemouth, and he could feature once again.

Newcastle possible starting lineup: Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Eddie Howe's Newcastle United are set to host Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park on Sunday in each side's third game of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

The home team are seventh in the table with four points from their opening two matches against Southampton and Bournemouth, while the visitors also have four points but are in fifth place due to superior goal difference.

Match preview

© Imago

After a somewhat disappointing 2023-24 campaign in which Newcastle finished seventh, failed to qualify for European football and had marquee signing Sandro Tonali banned for most of the season, Howe might have hoped that 2024-25 would be less turbulent.

However, Fabian Schar was sent off after just 28 minutes in their opening Premier League match against newly-promoted Southampton on August 17, and the Toon were forced to concede possession and territory to the Saints as a result.

Midfielder Joelinton scored the only goal of the game in the 45th minute when he took advantage of an error by Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, who played a loose pass to Alexander Isak in his own penalty area.

Newcastle were embroiled in controversy in their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth on August 25, with Cherries forward Dango Ouattara adjudged to have struck the ball with his arm when he converted what would have been the winning goal in the 92nd minute.

Joelinton managed to make the headlines again but this time for escaping a red card after he clotheslined goalkeeper Neto in second-half stoppage time, and even Howe noted that the Brazilian was lucky to have only picked up a yellow card.

The Toon drew 1-1 on August 28 against Nottingham Forest in the second round of the EFL Cup, but advanced to the third round after winning 4-3 on penalties, and they will face AFC Wimbledon on September 17.

© Imago

Opponents Tottenham began their season with a disappointing 1-1 draw on August 19 against Leicester City, a match in which they had 70% possession and 15 shots.

Ange Postecoglou's side demonstrated their ability to produce exciting attacking football, including when Pedro Porro scored the game's opening goal in the 29th minute, though they also showed they can be vulnerable during counter-attacks.

Spurs' second game of the season against Everton on August 24 was much more straightforward, with one goal from Yves Bissouma, one from Cristian Romero and two from Son Heung-Min ensuring a 4-0 victory.

Tottenham were aided by Jordan Pickford's inexplicable error in the 25th minute when he let the ball roll across his path but failed to control James Tarkowski's pass, and this allowed Son to pounce and score Spurs' second.

Postecoglou's side are averaging the second most shots on target per match, have created the second most big chances and have had the most touches in the opposition box of any team in the Premier League.

The visitors come into the clash unbeaten in their last three league games and have scored eight goals in those matches.

In the last nine top-flight meetings between Newcastle and Tottenham the sides have scored a combined 40 goals, though Spurs have lost their last two league matches at St James' Park 6-1 and 4-0.

Newcastle United Premier League form:

Newcastle United form (all competitions):

Tottenham Hotspur Premier League form:

Tottenham Hotspur form (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago

Newcastle have several absentees, including centre-backs Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles due to cruciate ligament injuries, while fellow centre-back Fabian Schar remains suspended.

Dan Burn and Emil Krafth started against Bournemouth as centre-back partners, and they could start once again on Sunday.

Callum Wilson, Lewis Miley and Joe Willock are all expected to miss out, while goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is a doubt.

Tonali returned to the pitch for Newcastle in their game against Nottingham Forest, and could be in contention for a starting spot this weekend.

As for Tottenham, they will be without Richarlison for the next few weeks due to an injury he picked up in training, while Dominic Solanke remains unavailable for selection.

More positively, Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to be in the squad to face the Toon, though he will have to feature from the bench if Postecoglou selects Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison in midfield.

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Pope; Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Gordon

Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:

Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison; Johnson, Son, Odobert

We say: Newcastle United 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

It would not be surprising if Sunday's game is a high-scoring affair given the nature of recent encounters between the sides.

While Spurs have defensive issues to contend with, Newcastle's backline has been decimated due to injury and suspension, and this could give the visitors the advantage this weekend.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers have discovered who they will play in the Europa League league phase following Friday's draw ceremony.

Rather than the familiar group-stage format of years gone by, the 2024-25 edition of the Europa League will instead see an expanded league phase, as 36 teams vie for the top eight automatic qualifying places.

Despite labouring to an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Man United's FA Cup success earned them direct entry into the Europa League, as did Spurs' fifth-placed ranking in the top flight.

Scottish giants Rangers - who were in pot one alongside Spurs and Man United - complete the British representation, and Philippe Clement's side have remarkably been drawn to face both Premier League teams.

Rangers will face Erik ten Hag's men at Old Trafford and will welcome Spurs to their Ibrox base, while Man United will also enjoy a mouthwatering reunion with a former manager.

Man United to face Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce

© Imago

One of the two pot two teams the Red Devils have been drawn to face is Fenerbahce, managed by former Man United boss Jose Mourinho, but the Portuguese will be hosting his erstwhile employers rather than returning to Old Trafford.

As well as Rangers and Fenerbahce, Man United also face last season's beaten Champions League quarter-finalists Porto away, while hosting Greek powerhouses PAOK at Old Trafford.

From pot three, Ten Hag's men will welcome Bodo/Glimt to Old Trafford and travel to face Viktoria Plzen, while Eredivisie side FC Twente (home) and Romanian outfit FCSB (Romania) complete the Red Devils' set of opponents.

Meanwhile, Spurs will tackle another of Mourinho's former clubs in Roma at home, and Ange Postecoglou's side will also welcome AZ Alkmaar, Qarabag and Elfsborg to their North London headquarters.

In addition to their trip to Rangers, Spurs' other league phase away matches see the Lilywhites take a short trip to Germany to face Hoffenheim, while also facing Galatasaray in Turkey and Ferencvaros in Hungary.

Rangers drawn to face two Ligue 1 clubs

© Imago

As for Rangers, the Scottish Premiership titans have been drawn to take on two Ligue 1 clubs in addition to Man United and Spurs, hosting Lyon (pot two) and travelling to Nice (pot four).

Clement's side are also welcoming FCSB and Belgian outfit Union SG to Ibrox, and they will face Greek giants Olympiacos and Swedish side Malmo away from home in the league phase.

The top eight teams in the league phase directly advance to the last 16, while sides ranked ninth to 24th will compete in the playoffs for the final eight places, with no teams dropping down from the Champions League or moving to the Europa Conference League.

The league phase will take place from September 25 to January 30, while the final will take place at Athletic Bilbao's Estadio de San Mames on May 21.

Europa League league phase draw for Man United, Tottenham and Rangers:

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prioritising the addition of a new midfielder before the summer transfer window closes in England on August 30.

After narrowly missing out on a top-four finish in the Premier League last season, Ange Postecoglou has overseen the arrival of five new signings, while 13 players have departed either on loan or permanently.

Striker Dominic Solanke is the club's record signing at around £65m, while teenage quartet Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Yang Min-Hyeok have also made the permanent switch to North London.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Eric Dier, Emerson Royal and Oliver Skipp are some of the standout names who have departed, the latter of whom has joined Leicester City for an initial £20m.

Postecoglou recently confirmed that he expects more players to leave the club and also hopes that his Spurs squad will be strengthened with new additions in the final few days of the transfer window.

Speaking to reporters prior to last weekend's 4-0 Premier League win over Everton, Postecoglou said: "A couple more [players] will go out, but we've done a fair bit of work over the last 12 months in terms of the squad.

"As much as the focus has been on getting guys in, we've changed the squad a fair bit, brought down the demographic a fair way.

"We've brought in footballers who are better suited to play the football we want to play moving forwards. So, there has been a lot of work done in that area from our perspective, but with a week to go there is still a little bit to do."

Spurs to prioritise midfield addition before deadline

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are 'prioritising' a move for a new centre-midfielder before the window slams shut after allowing both Skipp and Hojbjerg to leave the club.

The report adds that Spurs are aware it will be tough to land their top targets at this stage in the window, but they are nevertheless ready to make a move for a new midfielder.

Spurs keeping tabs on Hackney

One midfielder who is believed to be on Tottenham's radar is Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, who has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs this summer.

GiveMeSport claims that Spurs have sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in Boro's first two Championship matches this season as they consider making a late move for the England Under-21 international.

Hackney, who joined Middlesbrough's academy at Under-10s level, has made a total of 72 first-team appearances for the club and has established himself as a key player under head coach - and former Spurs midfielder - Michael Carrick.